Abigail Mableson: ’Twas the Mic before Hogmas

Cerys Turner: The two worlds of education journalism

We may be heading towards the end of the term here at Warwick but that doesn’t mean we’re taking a break at Hogging the Mic! This week, we’re joined by former Music Editor and Editor-in-Chief, Cerys Turner, who is currently a News Reporter at the specialist schools publication, Tes.  While universities and schools may only share the link of education, Rachel, Tom, and Lucy spoke to Cerys about how The Boar acted as the perfect training ground for her time at Tes. Hear how reporting on on-campus protests prepared her for her time in the schools newsroom, including covering a recent press conference with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and breaking down the recent SEND reforms in the Starmer government’s first schools White Paper.  And as always, your hosts will also be spotlighting some articles that have caught their eye… this week from the upcoming print edition, which will hit campus next week. It’s the last print edition of the current exec, as we head into elections tonight, so definitely grab a copy when you’re around on campus.  Of course, you can join in the conversation in the comments, or by messaging us on Instagram @HoggingTheMic. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from The Boar over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theboar.org/]. Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HitsLab / Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-interview-podcast-background-music-352343/] Cover art: Rachel Gore

James Appleton: Trips and tips in the travel journalism world

Joining us on Hogging the Mic this week is former Boar Comment Editor and Editor-in-Chief, James Appleton, whose journey has seen him go from student journalism, to jobs outside of journalism, to ending up back in the journalism-adjacent sphere.  James spoke to Rachel, Tom, and Lucy about his time at The Boar back in the late 2000s, as well as his jobs since – teaching English as a foreign language, working in the charity sector, and also now as a Freelance Product Editor for Lonely Planet. We get the insight on how the adventures of travel writers end up on the pages of those famous ‘bluespined’ guides, as well tips on getting into the world of freelancing. Stick around and you may also hear some of James’ own travel advice… And of course, as always, your hosts will also spotlight some articles that have caught their eye this week. If you want your article featured in the next episode, then grab a pitch and get writing.  As always, you can join in the conversation in the comments, or by messaging us on Instagram @HoggingTheMic. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from The Boar over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theboar.org/]. Featured articles: ‘The trivialisation of romance: It’s not just anything, it’s love’ [https://theboar.org/2026/02/the-trivialisation-of-romance-its-not-just-anything-its-love/] by Bethany Sirianni (Books) ‘’A big drinking bonanza of fun’: The Boar goes behind the scenes of the 46th Warwick University Real Ale Festival’ [https://theboar.org/2026/02/a-big-drinking-bonanza-of-fun-the-boar-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-the-46th-warwick-university-real-ale-festival/] by Nikolai Morton (News/Features) ‘Leamington 2-1 Curzon Ashton: Brakes end winless run with euphoric last-gasp winner’ [https://theboar.org/2026/01/leamington-2-1-curzon-ashton-brakes-end-winless-run-with-euphoric-last-gasp-winner/] by Joshua Keeble (Sport) Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HitsLab / Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-interview-podcast-background-music-352343/] Cover art: Rachel Gore

Sanjana Iyer: Kicking off a new season with our new EIC

Hogging the Mic is back! After a festive break (and some time to settle into Term 2), we’re back and ready for a new season of Hogging the Mic – bringing you more of what you’ve got to know and love, but with a new lineup of special guests!  And we’ve decided to kick off the new series with something a little bit different. We haven’t got an alum joining us today – instead, we’ve got a current member of the team who told us everything about her time at The Boar, from beginning as a Deputy Editor, through to sub-editing in Paris on her year abroad, to now recently taking up the role of Editor-in-Chief.  Of course, we’re talking about the one and only Sanjana Iyer. Rachel, Tom, and Lucy sat down with Sanjana and unpacked her last four years at the paper, and spoke out about what’s to come over the next few weeks at The Boar.  With The Boar’s charity print just around the corner too, your hosts (and Sanjana!) spotlight some of their favourite articles from across the print. We’re back with a bang! As always, you can join in the conversation in the comments, or by messaging us on Instagram @HoggingTheMic. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from The Boar over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theboar.org/]. Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HitsLab / Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-interview-podcast-background-music-352343/] Cover art: Rachel Gore

Abigail Mableson: ’Twas the Mic before Hogmas

Merry Christmas! As we celebrate the festive season at Hogging the Mic, we’ve got a very special episode of the podcast to bring you – to keep you company when you’re wrapping last minute presents, or enjoying a mince pie during Twixtmas, when you have no clue what day it is.  On this extra festive episode of the pod, we’re joined by someone who will be a familiar voice to many of you listening – a legend of the Boar offices in recent years. Former Arts Editor, Abigail Mableson, who has recently made the move from Warwick to London to study for a Masters in Investigative Journalism at City St George’s, sat down with Rachel, Tom, and Lucy to discuss all things Boar, City, and Christmas. From meeting Radio 1’s Ali Plumb to settling into the capital, Christmas traditions to the iconic fringed presenter Abi would love to interview, this episode will bring you lots of fun over the festive period…  As always, you can join in the conversation in the comments, or by messaging us on Instagram @HoggingTheMic. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from The Boar over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theboar.org/]. We’ll be back with new episodes of the podcast in the new year! Until then, thank you for all the support in 2025, and have a very happy holidays.  Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HitsLab / Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-interview-podcast-background-music-352343/] Cover art: Rachel Gore

Evianne Suen: Finding the ticket to social media success

We’ve made it to the end of term! The festivities are in sight, but that doesn’t mean we’re stopping dropping episodes of Hogging the Mic for you to enjoy. And this week’s episode is a good one…  This week, we’re joined by former News Editor, Evianne Suen, whose time at the helm of the section was just coming to an end as the Covid pandemic shut down universities and life across the country in March 2020.  Since leaving The Boar, Evianne has gone on to study a Masters in International Journalism at City, and ultimately found her feet in roles at PinkNews and the concert ticketing platform Dice, where she currently works as a Social Media Manager.  Rachel, Tom, and Lucy spoke to Evianne about all things journalism, social media, and even a little bit  about the world of music. And, after a hectic term here at the paper, Evianne also shares her tips on how to balance your time at The Boar with your academic work and social life… and ways to make sure you’re getting out of the offices before 10pm.  We’ll also be teasing some articles from the upcoming December print in our usual spotlight section, and we’ll maybe even tell you a little bit about what you can expect from our next episode… but don’t expect too much of a spoiler!  As always, you can join in the conversation in the comments, or by messaging us on Instagram @HoggingTheMic. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from The Boar over on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://theboar.org/]. Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HitsLab / Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://pixabay.com/music/funk-interview-podcast-background-music-352343/] Cover art: Rachel Gore